John gill willits



( No Model.)

J. G. WILLITS. MOISTENER FOR STAMPS, ENVELOPES, &c-.

' No. 521,250. Patented June 12,1894.

INVENT 1:12;! 25M OMMA NHED STATES un on.

ATENT JOHN GILL WVILLITS, OF HADDONFIELD, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO ANNA EASTBURN WILLITS, OF SAME PLACE.

MOISTENER FOR STAMPS, ENVELOPES, 8L0- $PEOIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 521,250, dated June 12, 1893.

Application filed February 15, 1893. Serial No. 462,470. (No model.)

1'0 (ZZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, J OHN GILL WILLITS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Haddonfield, in the county of Camden and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Moisteners for Stamps, Envelopes, &c, of which the following is a specification.

My invention has relation to appliances for [O moistening postage stamps, envelopes, &c., and has for its object the provision of certain new and useful improvements therein.

My invention consists of a tank or reservoir having therein a submerged permeable [5 plate anda partially submerged felt pad, sustained by said plate, of such thickness and density as to prevent its unassisted saturation and the moistening of its outer surface to the proper extent, such surface being adapted for subjection to pressure of the article to be moistened and the rising of the moisture thereto under such pressure.

My invention further consists in the details of construction and the combinations of parts '2 5 as hereinafter fully described and claimed and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved moistening device. Fig. 2 is a verti- 0 cal section of the same, embracing a slightly modified form of cap or cover for the watersupply. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the front portion of the base of the moistening device, showing the support for the pad; and Fig. 4

is a perspective view of the rear portion of the same, illustrating a modification thereof.

In said drawings, A represents a hollow base, having its sides inclined inwardly from bottom to top, composed of tin or sheet metal,

0 although any other suitable material, cast or wrought metal, may be employed.

B represents a rectangular recess or depression, in the top a of the base, provided with horizontal flanges b b b 12 or ledges, for the support of the pad 0, said ledges being formed,

where the base is of wrought metal, by bending or punching downwardly and then inwardly, at right angles therewith, the metal surrounding the opening of similar shape, or,

conversely, by casting or similar means. The

grating D, which may be stamped or otherwise formed of a fiat sheet of metal, as shown in Fig. 3 of the drawings, or of wire-netting,

is secured to the edges of the flanges aforesaid in such position as to be flush, or in the same horizontal plane therewith, forming, in conjunction with and in continuation of said flanges, a fiat support for that portion of the pad which is without the ledges, thus said pad is sustained in a flat condition throughout. At the same time, the apertures d in the grating afford free passage for the water E, in the base A, or reservoir, and permit of the practically unimpeded access of the same to the pad, the latter, furthermore preventing the admission of air to the water and avoiding the evaporation thereof, as hereinbet'ore suggested. The material of which the pad 0 is formed is, preferably, felt, the same having been found to produce the desired result most successfully by reason of its peculiar structure, rendering such material of little or no porosity, said pad being of considerable thickness and sufficiently dense to avoid the soaking of the moisture therethrough to any great extent without the squeezing of the same incident to the pressure of the article to be moistened thereon.

The stand-pipe F, at its lower end, communicates with the interior of the base and at its upper end is provided with a removable cap or cover f, permitting of the filling and refilling of said pipe as occasion requires. The particular form of this cap or cover is not essential and may, obviously, be varied considerably, for example, a top f, provided. with a round neck f for reception of a screw or other removable cap f may be secured to the pipe F.

As will be observed, upon reference being had to Fig. 1, the rear of the top a of the base has therein a transverse concavity G, the same forming a convenient receptacle for pens, pencils, &c., or, if desired, said top, at

this point, may be provided with depressions 5 H H for reception of ink-bottles. Thus there is provided a neat and handy desk fixture capable of a variety of uses. For instance,

my invention can be readily utilized as a paper-weight, the bottom thereof being fiat and I00 lessening the liability of its upsetting, while the body of water therein adds to its solidity.

Also, the stand-pipe affords a very effective and convenient bouquet-holder, the Water therein serving to preserve the same, while the outer configuration of the base and standpipe may be varied from that shown in the drawings, in accordance with any particular idea of beauty and appropriateness.

The method of operation is quite simple. The pressure upon, while drawing the article to be moistened across, the pad causes the water to rise to the surface of the latter and the consequent moistening of such article, the fingers of the operator not necessarily being brought into contact with the pad at all, said pad being of such thickness as to bring its outer surface or top a considerable distance above the top of the base A, while being so located as to leave a clear space all around it, affording freedom of movement across the pad in any desired direction, without contact with any other part of the device.

'What I claim as my invention is as follows:

1. In a moistener for stamps, the, the combination of a tank or reservoir having therein a submerged permeable plate, and a partially submerged felt pad, sustained by said plate, adapted for subjection to pressure of the article to be moistened and the rising of the moisture to the outer surface under such pressure, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. In a moistener for stamps, &c., the combination of a tank provided with a depression in its top, a flat perforated base, normally submerged and supported by flanges in the depression, a felt pad in the latter and sustained by the base, said pad having its 1 uner surface constantly submerged and its outer surface adapted for subjection to pressure of the article to be moistened, and a standpipe or reservoir above the plane of the pad, provided with a removable cap or cover and communicating with the tank, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of February, A. D. 1893.

J OIIN GILL WILLITS.

Witnesses:

R. DALE SPARKIIAWK, WM. II. POWELL. 

